Hi -

I am having a hard time figuring this out, and all my local UW photog friends shoot Nikons, so I a hoping someone here can help me out.

I shoot in the murk of So Cal - getting close is really a necessity here or you wind up with a ton of particulate in your shots. My go-to lens for most macro is the 60 mm EF-S because of the close focal distance. When I want more magnification, I have been using a Macro Mate wet diopter - it's nice because you can flip it on and off, but the minimum focal distance is basically zip, and you get very little working distance. I'd like to try a few other options - teleconverter? Extension tube? But it seems that many of the former will not work (autofocus) with my 60 mm lens, and I was under the impression that the latter increases your minimum focal distance. Can anyone help me out?

Thanks a bunch -

Allison

Hi Allison,

If you want to stick with that lens, you have only a couple of options. You've seen that adding the macromate doesn't help much with this lens because all it does is decrease your already VERY short working distance.

Adding a 1.4x teleconverter will make your lens a 85mm F4 lens. It should have the same focus range as before (meaning something like 4" to infinity). If you get the right teleconverter the lens may be compatible - but make sure and check, because I'm not an EF-S lens expert.

An extension tube will lower your working distance as well - so again not as desirable.

Cheers
James

have you tried the 100mm ?

This was taken with the 100mm macro and a 1.4x Canon extender on a 5D
(cropped the snot out of this one!)
Click to view attachment

Lou -

I do have the 100 mm and have used it locally - twice. It is a beautiful lens, and I intend to use it when travelling to clear-water locales, but it is not a great choice in the murk of San Diego (I'll admit - I know one or two people who use 100 mm/ 105 mm lenses locally - maybe they are just better than me or know something I don't!!!!! I found it to be an exercise in frustration.). When I used it, I added the diopter to decrease working distance, and I have had lovely results - but there can be zero surge (insert laughter here)...obviously, also an issue with the 60, but if I get irritated with that combo, I just flip off the diopter.

But - I suspect you're saying that the 100 mm is compatible with the telecoverters, yes??



James -

Thanks - OK, so this helps - does anyone know which 1.4 teleconverter is compatible with the Canon EF-S 60 mm lens???

Allison

Wait a sec, you didn't say you had a 100mm macro. In that case, just buy a Canon 500D diopter which will shorten the working distance on this lens to almost the lens tip. It's a +2 diopter.

Make sure your lens+diopter will fit in your macro port as it adds about 5mm.

Cheers
James

This sounds like a possibility - I have a longer subal port (for the 100 mm) - I also have an extender if I need one. Does this narrow the working field as much as using the external diopter - as in, is there any advantage to the 500D over the MacroMate?

Thanks, James - you're the best!

The 500D is specifically designed to work with that lens. The 500D is a high quality achromat diopter which minimizes the image degradation from CA. It's strong, but not as strong as the Macromate.

Disadvantage is that you can't take it off underwater. Also, you won't be able to focus out past about 18 inches - but you won't be wanting to do that w/ the 100 much of the time anyways.

Cheers
James

This actually sounds perfect - not as strong, but will be a bit less frustrating to shoot - 18 inches away, don't make me laugh!! I'll let you know how it works out. THANKS!

Ive got the 500D diaopter and it is sweeeeet!
Needs only about a 12mm extension on the port.

Marumi also make some achromat diopters which are very good and surprisingly similar to the Canon ones...... and cheaper too.

IMHO using extension tubes with the 60 and 100 is limited - over 25mm tube on the 60 and results drop in quality. I've not tried the 100mm and extension but suspect that the same might happen as both are 'internal' focus type lenses.

Didn't Marumi OEM for Nikon and Canon at one stage?

It wouldn't surprise me!

Hoya offers a +3 similar to the Canon in construction if you want something a bit stronger. I have one for my 150mm. It's very slightly longer than a 500D.

Excellent - I think I'll pick up a +2 and a +3 and see how I fare with each. I was trying to shoot a tiny amphipod yesterday in the surge with my Macro Mate, and I was ready to break it over someone's head after about 10 minutes! It would be great to be able to havea bit of movement without it being a complete disaster.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

Just wanted to say thanks again - got out this weekend with my 100 mm lens plus the Hoya +3 diopter - the focusing is not quite as close as I'd hoped for either this or the 500D, but it is definitely close enough for use in iffy vis - maybe 4 inches in front of the port. And a LOT more wiggle room than the Macro Mate. I call this new setup the Blenniator. Love it. I really appreciate the freely given advice, guys - thank you!!!

This guy's face was about the size of a pencil eraser, maybe slightly bigger - pic is cropped maybe 10%, max. His expression mirrors how I was feeling right about the time I saw him and was able to get a reasonable shot off!!!